[ARC5] Command Sets and Other Rarities

[Mike Morrow]

Ronnie wrote:

> On another note, I just completed putting together a complete scr274n and
> got it on the air! I kept careful notes, and even with a few items given
> to me, I still have 1190 bucks in it! If I was to sell today it wouldn't
> even start at $1500! This stuff is so hard to find now and prices trending
> higher and higher, I could never hope to do it again!

The following remarks assume that a historically accurate installation of
a "command set" with a three-receiver rack and a two-transmitter rack is
being assembled, not just a 80/40 meter ham set.

The SCR-274-N is the very least expensive set to put together by far.  That
includes everything, with all four transmitters, all four receivers, and
the AN/ARR-1 homing adapter.  I put one together about 12 years ago, but
I'm still missing the MC-415 .52 to 1.5 MC control box dial for the BC-450-A
(used with the BC-946-B and AN/ARR-1 homing adapter, and different from the
late ARA and AN/ARC-5 equivalent).

If one does the same thing for the ARA/ATA, costs really climb on those
rare instance that components show up.  I've put together a complete ARA/ATA
(all five receivers, all five transmitters) with ZB-3 homing system, but all
my racks and shock mounts are SCR-274-N that will be replaced whenever a real
ARA/ATA equivalent shows up (if ever).  The ARA/ATA is a set that really should
be configured for early WWII carrier aircraft service, which means having
the BC band nt-46145 receiver in place of the beacon band nt-46129 receiver,
along with a ZB-2 or -3 homing adapter feeding it.  A purist will also want
navy nt-49xxx connectors and conduit cable rather than the common PL- army
type connectors and open wire cables.  For me, life is going to be too short
for that.

The AN/ARC-5 is also much more expensive than the SCR-274-N, due to the hard
to find connectors that the transmitter system uses, a general scarcity of
mounts and shocks, and the increased number and type of components in the
system.  I'll ignore the rare T-15 to T-17/ARC-5 units, but one still needs
to have the VHF components and the AN/ARR-2 homing receiver system as well.
I've put together one of these sets, but most of my receiver-related
connectors are army PL- types.  Also, I don't have a T-15 or T-17, or a
T-126.

Even correct RU/GF and SCR-183/283 command sets can be a economic challenge.
For liaison sets, a pretty penny can be dropped on a common SCR-287-A, or
its replacement, the AN/ARC-8 after one comes up with all the AN/ART-13A mounts,
connectors, correct cal book, and accessories like the O-17 and the CU-32.
Just try to locate the MT-198 mount for that CU-32!

My fantasy system:  A 1939 GE GO-6 liaison transmitter with a liaison receiver
consisting of a 1939 A.R.C. RU-12 and RAT-1.  None of that is ever going to
happen...I doubt even Bill Gates could locate but a fraction of the required
components before going broke.

I guess the pursuit is part of the fun.  Without ebay, nothing would be
possible.

Mike / KK5F